kitchenmage

I get good results with this style scone (using eggs) as well. I've also had luck with putting them on a pizza stone that's seriously preheated--really helps with the rise and texture, although it may take a minute off bake time. And if I don't have cream, I use more butter and less milk (rather than cream)--okay, okay so it's a hack but it works.

Ah, now there's a question that has started the eternal arguments. Just what is the "correct" way to make scrambled eggs? Therese, since you like games, add this to your repetoire. If you ask a bunch of people how they make their scrambled eggs you can get the most amusing discussion going. Before you know it the purists (who only use eggs and salt) are calling the liguidists (add water/milk/etc) heretics, and then you get to the people who add seasonings. Makes those holy wars seems downright tame at times. So what is <i>your</i> correct way? It's your blog, you get to be right.

I work at home so my morning tea usually includes homemade goodies. I almost always have a few things in the freezer: cinnamon rolls, bagels, chocolate chip cookies. (Oh, those aren't breakfast? Oops. ) Plus I have the indulgence of being able to decide as I pour my first cup of tea that I'd like something fresh with my third cup of tea and making it happen. Now there's an indulgence for you. (there are a few upsides to the life of a writer) At our old house we had <i>blueberries</i>. I mean, we REALLY had blueberries--about 30 bushes. I'd still have some in the freezer when the next year's harvest was coming in. So I used to always have blueberry muffins, and bags and bags of frozen berries for fresh coffeecake and other spur-of-the-moment treats. Our new place has 4 blueberries, much smaller but bearing, so I am looking forward to the harvest, however meager it may seem by comparison. I'm with you Ling, haven't gone after making croissants yet. In my case I have no excuse as I've been baking seriously since you were a small person (if that's your picture and you're really as young as you look). It's next winter's project--all the "difficult" pastries...and maybe more chocolate.

Instead of cheesecloth, I mostly use muslin, which can be purchased at your local fabric store for a buck or two a yard and lasts forever. I've found a couple of different weights over the years, and while most are heavier than cheesecloth, I've also found some that's darn near that light and porous. (Check for really thin fabric in the cheap stuff at the back of the store and in remnants) I've even found cheesecloth by the yard/bolt--and it's a lot cheaper than the "kitchen" stuff. Just make sure to get 100% natural fibers. Another reusable (read: cheap) replacement is an oversized tea ball for infusing things; it's on a 6 inch chain with a hook at the end so I can hook it on the edge of a stockpot for easy extraction. Cost me a couple of bucks, I think it was designed for making iced tea with loose tea.

Dry Bay leaves! Bleech! Dusty, flavorless, pretty much pointless. Fresh leaves off my bay tree, on the other hand, are amazing. Hints of spice, vanilla, almost nutmeggy; fresh bay is sweet enough to use in desserts. Mmmmmmm. I wore a sprig of fresh bay in my hair to a recent Saturnalia bash and had people both enchanted and baffled by the smell. In fact, dried herbs in general leave me wanting. I moved recently and my herb garden is still in another town waiting for spring planting here. I am bereft.

Arrrrggggghhhh! Not only is Home Spirit closed--even the bakery *sniffle*--but the locals say the HS owners are selling it and leaving town! I am truly saddened as I had heard many wonderful things about it. Tsquare, this means I get to go make myself some marvelous dessert to make up for the loss, right? I am thinking that enough bittersweet chocolate will make me feel better.

Mary, A friend of mine told me about a place that, while it's not Long Beach, is very close. It's the <a href='http://www.home-spirit.com/'>Home Spirit Cafe and Bakery</a> in Astoria I haven't been, but I am going for lunch tomorrow and can report back. (someone <i>please </i>say they want to hear about it and give me an excuse to eat dessert...) The person who told me about it said he's had more than one of his five best meals there, so my expectations are set and I am skipping breakfast. Plus, the drive over the river is gorgeous! Also, there are waterfront places on the Columbia 20-30 miles inland inexpensively so if you are open to not exactly the coast...I'd check out <a href='http://www.SkamokawaKayak.com'> Skamokawa Kayak</a> for waterfront rentals. Apartments w/kitchens and patios <i>on</i> the water. We visited some friends there recently and it was rather pretty. ...beth ps... this is not only my first post, but you inspired me to upgrade my membership so I could post it... does that make you responsible or my eGulletLife or something?